She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Wait. Are you talking about putting me into the witness-protection program?”
“That would be premature at this juncture.”
“But you’re not ruling it out?”
“I never rule out any course of action. Doing so is the easiest way to get you or someone else killed. But the lead prosecutor and state’s attorney are going to be fully briefed on the current security issues, and they may seek that route for you. Especially after what just happened.”
“Unbelievable.” She lived a solitary life so she didn’t have to worry about a family, but this marshal was throwing her a curve. Granted, he was just doing his job, but that didn’t mean she felt comfortable with him taking over. She was a private person. She’d only trusted a man once before, and she shuddered thinking about him.
“I know this is difficult for you. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe and try and give you as much space as is reasonable.”
“I guess I understand. But how could the state not have known about this connection to the East River gang?”
“Since there isn’t any proven contact or links between the two cousins, I don’t think the state believed this was a relevant issue. Lucas thought Kevin sold out by working in corporate America. Or at least that’s the story that’s on the streets.”
“But you’re skeptical?’
“Yeah. I’m not doubting that there’s friction between the two of them, but I don’t buy for a minute that Kevin Diaz is completely on the up and up. The FBI is investigating his operations trying to find any other ties to East River or organized crime. However, it’s not their top priority. Like I said, I was the one driving that charge, and now that I’m gone it’s less of a focus. Regardless, in my opinion East River made clear today that they don’t want you to testify.”
“But I’ve already started my testimony.”
“And they don’t want you to finish it,” he shot back. “You’ve only gotten through the preliminary questions. Nothing you’ve said so far will hurt Diaz. It’s the rest of your testimony that would be problematic for him. So for tonight we have to be on lockdown. I’m taking you to a safe house in the area.”
“I’ll need something to wear for court tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry. All of that will be taken care of. We have a fully stocked safe house, and if need be we can send out for any additional necessities.”
She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes for a second trying to steady her ever escalating nerves. She liked to be in control, and right now things were spiraling quickly into a place she didn’t like to be. Lord, I need You now.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes. How much farther until we reach our destination?”
“It’s just outside the city, so only a few more minutes.”
“Sorry to sound impatient.”
He glanced over at her. “You were just shot at. You have every right to feel a mix of emotions. I’m actually quite impressed at how you’ve held yourself together.”
She wanted to change the subject and take the focus off of her. “Are you from around here?” she asked.
“I’m from Chicago, but I’ve lived all over working for the FBI. For the past few years I worked out of the Atlanta field office. And now as a marshal, I’ve been assigned to the Northern District of Georgia.”
“I like living in Atlanta,” she said.
The car suddenly swerved, stopping her from continuing her thought. What was going on?
“Hold on,” he said loudly.
She gripped the console.
Then he slammed on the brakes.
* * *
Max’s day was going from bad to worse. If he hadn’t gotten to the courthouse when he had, his witness might have been killed—gunned down in broad daylight. And now a man stood waving his arms right in front of his car in the middle of the road.
Max had to swerve to keep from hitting him. But it was close. And now his senses were screaming that something was terribly off. They were winding through the suburbs on the way to the safe house. What was this man doing?
He thought of Sydney. How much more could she handle today? She certainly hadn’t signed up for being a target of the East River gang. His years in the FBI gang unit had shown him just how ruthless a group like East River could be.
“Are you going to get out and see what he needs?” she asked.
They sat in the car, not moving, as the man approached. Max estimated him to be in his forties, approximately six feet tall and two hundred pounds. He definitely didn’t look like a damsel in distress.
“What’s wrong?” she asked Max.
“I don’t like this.”
“He probably needs help.” She reached over and grabbed his arm. “We can’t just ignore him.”
“Stay in the car, okay?”
Before she could answer, he checked his sidearm and then opened the door.
And that’s when the man lunged forward. The attacker was fast, but Max was faster.
Sydney screamed, but Max stayed focused on the threat in front of him. But when a gunshot went off, he instinctively turned to look. And there was Sydney wrestling another man with a gun.
He didn’t have time to do a thorough analysis of the situation, so he quickly launched into action. When his attacker landed a blow that connected hard with his jaw, pain shot through his head. But it wasn’t enough to lay him out. There was no way was he going to lose his first official witness as a US Marshal. With a swift uppercut he made contact with the attacker’s face. Calling on his martial arts training, he followed with a precise kick to the ribs. His assailant landed on the ground with a resounding thud.
He drew his gun and turned, ready to take the shot to save Sydney’s life. But somehow she had gotten the other guy on his knees and the man’s gun was now in her hand. How in the world had she managed that? “Keep that gun on him, Sydney.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” she said.
He pulled out his handcuffs and secured the original assailant. Then he walked over to her. The other man was on his knees with his hands in the air. He pulled out a second pair of cuffs from his jacket and put them on the perpetrator.
He would need to call this in ASAP, but he also needed to get Sydney to safety. What if others were coming? These guys could have been waiting for them. Which meant additional threats could be in the area.
He pulled out his cell and put in a call. Backup should only be a few minutes away. That would give him a moment with the suspects. He read them their rights since he didn’t want to get caught in a legal snafu, and then he looked at the first man.
“Who sent you?”
“I’m not talkin’.” The man’s blue eyes weren’t filled with fear but determination. Clearly he was a hired gun.
Max walked over to where Sydney stood beside the other man. Her auburn hair had come loose from her ponytail. “You sure you’re okay?” She looked shaken as she gripped her hands together, but after a moment answered him calmly.
“Yes.”
He